I Stay In A Luxury Airport Hotel! - Sofitel - Are They Worth The Price? 

OMG, I can’t believe you came to our hotel, I actually work on reception here! If I was on shift I’d have upgraded you to a suite. It’s a great hotel to work in with absolutely lovely guests and crew, great location for the North Terminal. I’m gonna have to tell my front office manager you was here with us.

When you arrive after a transatlantic overnight drag. A Sofitel day room for a shower, a few hours of sleep, and a change of clothes before the drive home. Perfection.

My, go-to reviewer, Tim. If I were staying for just the one night and flying the next day. I think I'd rather save a bit of money and stay in the Premier Inn. The room layout looks pretty similar, apart from the colour scheme. Thanks, Tim 👍🙂

Hi Tim. For an airport hotel it looked better than others which are for holidays. So clean shiny and comfortable.

Hello Tim. That Sofitel opened around 30 years ago (along with the Hilton T4 at LHR). Originally it was built and managed by BAA plc (who owned the UK's main airports at that time) and it was to be one of the new hotels which BAA was to manage at LGW. Its sister property was at Heathrow and is now the Hilton at T4. I toured both properties at the time they were under construction. However after being open for only a short time the management contracts were awarded to professional hotel operators.

Totally agree with the wide windowsill comment. I stayed here regularly when travelling on business back in the naughties and early teens, and usually got an airport view. Travelling alone I found the pillows from the bed made plane spotting from the window “seat” nice and comfortable, some nights I’d wake up there as it was so comfy. Great video as always.

I stayed here back when I first flew to the US a few years ago and was still relatively new to flying. To be honest, while the price was much higher than I expected (having never been to a hotel), the convenience of being at my terminal within a 5 minute walk was something I couldn't take for granted. I'm an anxious person, flying takes that to new levels. While I have no need to stay there again after finding out what a connecting flight was (thankfully), I did enjoy my time there. The bed was comfortable, the room was impressively clean in my case and all in all it made my first, rather anxious flight that much bearable. I was flying during late Covid Lockdown, the US had only just opened, I had even bought the tickets before news was out, I simply bought the tickets for Christmas hoping the border would open. I have happy memories of the Hotel, since I got to give the good news to my girlfriend I was coming to see her for the first time. Me and my girlfriend love your videos (she was the reason I was flying, lol) so I'm really excited for us to watch this video together considering this is the first time you've stayed somewhere I have. I haven't watched this video, since we like watching them together, but keep up the great work! Not sure what we'd watch for dinner without your channel, lol. Have you been to or considered visiting Krakow or Malta?

The wife and I stayed here, in an "airport view" superior room, a few years ago. As I recall, we were quite pleased with it and I believe it was around the £70 mark. But, hey, that was then.😀

2:32 the look on the guys face when he saw the camera and you walking out the elevator was priceless!

I’ve stayed at the Beverly Hills Sofitel twice. One time because had to have surgery very early at Cedar Sinai, (which is right across the street) and they give you a discount on the rooms. The one there is very nice, and I love the Balmain shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. ❤

Stayed here for our very early flight absolutely amazing Hotel starts the holiday a day early and of course a glass of bubbly is a must

The price was actually less than I was expecting so that was good. There were a few things in the room like the kettle and some furnishings I thought would be better quality, but the inside atrium bit looked amazing. Seemed secure as well with the lift needing a keycard.

Wow! How cool is touch "Clean Room" sign . That bed sure looked very comfy

Still looks good for its age. We first stayed here in 1994 so almost 30 years ago! showing my age!

i had my best ever sleep at this hotel.....the bed was luxuriously soft without giving any back problems - i loved it.

Hi Tim, we stayed there on our way to the States in 2008 & really enjoyed it. One thing we did, was to walk through the walkway late evening, into the airport terminal & went to Costa for hot chocolate!

Great vid as usual Tim, a three star Premier Inn is very often better value than a four star hotel from my experience.

Great review! I’m booked to stay at the premier inn in one of the plus rooms in September and would love to see a review

I’ve just discovered your channel today following a recommendation on FB. This is the third video I’m watching. It’s funny that the first thing you notice at all places is “smells nice”.🌞

Doing what you do best mate 👍🏻 I really liked the look of the hotel and room. I would happily stay there if I was flying out from Gatwick.

View ‘the bill’ … is that the old classic tv series?

Looking forward to your review of the Premier Inn in comparison. 👍

Does look nice but for me, for just one night before a flight, too expensive and I do like the Premier there. Interesting to see it though so thank you!

French owned by Accor since the 80s

I personally love Sofitel. Especially when you're a member of ALL with gold or higher, so you receive a free room upgrade and a welcome gift. The service is also really good.

Great Video! Could you review the premier inn next door as it would be a interesting comparison.🙂

One of your best videos!

Going here Tommorow before I catch my morning flight

Hello Tim 😊Nice carpets all around 👍When you looked out to the hotel, it looked like a street inside tho all those windows COOL!! 😎I love the bathroom 👍👍

You should maybe try the Sandman signature hotel at gatwick. Good alternative hotel at lower rates than the hotels right on site. They do a room rate with inclusive transfer to the airport too.

Sofitel is a French owned property across from the Harvard Club on 44th in Manhattan. It is a short walk to Broadway theatres. My daughter was a Sales Director there but went back to American brands since this had a more niche client base. This is a very nice property with some nouveau decor in the lobby. They had similar French branded bath products. Looks like yours has Balmain. It was in a great location and was well maintained a little less than a decade ago. It had a very good restaurant. Was fairly close to the Un, Deux, Trois restaurant/diner on 44th which is quite good. I ate there a few months ago while staying at the Royalton Hotel after a late night flight. It along with the Hudson Hotel were the first boutique hotels in NYC designed by Ian Schrager (Studio 54). Since the pandemic the Hudson is being converted into apartments. If you cross 8th Ave further up 44th you will find the Intercontinental Hotel with The Birdland jazz club across the street.

Hahaha , i like your sense of humor ! 😂

Hehehe oooohhh(on the notepad)😂🤣brilliant love your travel visit blogs so much ..so funny. What a nice great place to stay aswell absolutely massive very posh. Hope you enjoyed it ..thankyou once again for taking us along 😊💖Keep it up . Sending loves to all. Xx

Ooh! I'm an All Accor member and use Sofitel Heathrow all the time, which if you choose Club Millesime room is lovely. My next flight has been changed to a Gatwick departure and I was going to switch to Sofitel Gatwick but NO BATH! I SO agree with you. Bath before bed to lull you to sleep is vital!

I stayed at the Bloc Hotel Gatwick twice, but already a couple of years back. That was weird but a funny experience. No windows on my rooms, just LED lighting to replace it, and you had a Samsung pad to control it all. Everything in a black slightly brothely design. It is right inside the terminal and relatively cheap. Definitely practical, but very weird.

So glad I found this review as I'm staying here in April before flying off to Las Vegas.

Hi Tim looks like a nice hotel really quite big . Great idea if you live far away and are getting a early flight. Thanks for sharing with us. Love to you as always Tracey 💕 xxxx

So better than the Pontins you've previously stayed at then? phew 🤣looks nice, id have loved that man greeting me at the front door back in the day, like oldy worldy vibes!

I LOVE the Sofitel Gatwick and I've been waiting for you to do a review. I stay there every time I have to fly out of Gatwick. I'm always flying long haul to Vancouver as we emigrated from the UK in 2006. (Unlike you I don't risk driving to the airport on the same day as my flight!!!). Normally I have a morning flight so that means getting to the terminal early so I want to stay right there the night before. This time I had an airport view. I've also had an internal room where the window looks out on the atrium and frankly, it doesn't really matter to me. The beds are the best there are and I really want to know what the name of the mattress toppers are because they are so comfortable. When I was there in October, I needed assistance at the airport because of some mobility issues, I arrived via train to Gatwick and someone took me in a wheelchair from the station right into reception which was quite a way and involve the transit. Apparently rail staff are not allowed to take passengers off the railway concourse but the lovely guy could see that I had no way of getting there otherwise. I didn't realise that when I arrived on the train it was so far from where I needed to be in the airport. There were a lot of alterations going on there at the time. Checking in was easy, room was absolutely super and incidentally the door was a black heavy door. I had room service from downstairs for dinner which was fine. You're being very picky about the lights and some of the other stuff; the lighting really didn't matter at all. People don't stay there for a holiday, Tim!!! They are there one night usually! I was very impressed with the bathroom which was the same as the one in your room, but it was different to others I had on previous visits. This bathroom was very luxurious. I'd say most people just want a shower when they are travelling. They don't have time to lounge around. I needed to have someone get me to the north terminal in the morning because I couldn't walk all along that entrance way to the transit and then to the check in. Having sticks, and also having a suitcase and a carry on I couldn't deal with them all. The concierge was very good and he sorted all that out for me by contacting Westjet. Next morning a Westjet employee turned up at reception at 6.30am with a wheelchair to take me to check in. My experience with Westjet and assistance at the airport was good for the most part. It was shame that the rest of my experience with Westjet was so horrendous and stressful on the way home. When you are used to being independent but suddenly have to rely on others to help you it's actually very scary when things go wrong and you cannot help yourself. But that's another story.

Thank you Tim for this review. I stayed here a few years ago and was given a key to a room with an occupant. Luckily the TV was on and the room in darkness, i think they were fast asleep and didn’t notice that I walked into the room. Since then I always put the chain or lock the door. Definitely don't want that happening to me!! That said, my stay was comfortable and Sofitel beds are known for being comfy. An expensive stay, but you can walk into the airport so no need for a shuttle bus or taxi.

Hi there Tim,thanks so much for sharing, i have never really stayed in an Airport hotel and it`s lovely to learn from you,thanks so much for sharing your experience

Oh well, looks so cool you wouldn't think that your in a hotel. When I visiting Jersey the hotel I stay at had a piano as well, down the other end. Such of a big view!

Would like to see a price comparison with the Premier Inn next-door, my partner and I use them all the time up and down the country and we can't fault them 😊

Hi Tim .. love this video. Awesome ❤ i would love to visit there. Thank you! Be safe. My daughter would get along with you and Gaby. She notices every detail too. 😂 ❤❤❤

Tim, lighting is Very Important. You were right paying attention to it. Most places I have been are Way Too Dark (For those of us who read). Some people, I guess, don't read.

Just stayed in the T5 Heathrow Sofitel and loved it. The little details were great and the bed toppers were so snuggly

Thanks Tim for a good video very interesting look forward to the next Yvonne 😊

Very nice. Not heard of this chain but going to give them a go at some point in the future. Hope your onward journey was good, thanks for the video xx

omg the atrium set off my vertigo 💫😵 tbh the room reminded me of a premier inn, it looked comfortable but not worth the high price, thans again for another great review Tim, safe travels xx

I was getting Ministry for magic vibes for the reception area and especially the bathroom with the black tiles lol.

I love the effort you go to to get professional camera angles! For that lift shot, did you have to get out the lift, place the camera, then get back in and exit?! Love it

The sink being offset is great. Room to do makeup/hair without leaning over the sink.

This looks amazing! I'm early to one of your videos for a change normally i spend a couple of hours catching up. Great video once again

Somebody greeting you at the door of a hotel, is the sign of a good hotel! It differentiates between good and not so good.

Loving the vids Tim could watch them for hours.

Love a quick hotel video from Tim 👍 looks nice! Looking to book a holiday today actually, just a British seaside holiday, im in Derby so can go in any direction and been using your channel to find the right place, Whitby, Tenby, Cromer all contenders 😊 reallyyyy love Robin hoods bay 😍 i just cant decide!

Ive stayed at the Sofitel at Heathrow and, while it was beautiful, im not tempted to stay at the Gatwick one when there is a perfection adequate Premier Inn next door. We frequently from Gatwick and have never had a problem with Premier Inn so why pay more? I must admit I'm addicted to your videos!

As usual, Tim. Great job. Thank you!

Love the sofitel!! Stay here every year...it never disappoints 🫶

Your comment about the walkway smelling nice is interesting, and this is actually intentional. I work for a company which provides scent diffusers with bespoke brand fragrance, and we supply to this Sofitel!

Great timing, I’m staying here in October before my flight to Florida 😊

Cant see whats better than the brilliant premier inn room im currently staying in to be honest

I noticed that when travelling in the Middle East you very rarely have lights in the centre of the ceiling. Usually they are around the walls. I guess it's because it's cheaper to build that way. Oh cracking video by the way.

Nice another really good looking place, the amenities looked in amazing shape but yeah the room looks like it could do with an upgrade to bring it back to match the rest of the place.

Very smart modern design ages well.

HI Tim.... Thank you for the review for the Sofitel... You mentioned the Premier Inn next door, I have stayed in that hotel twice and I will be staying there again in December 2023 on my way to my Hols... The Premier Inn I thought was good and I had no problem with that hotel... Just note that the Premier Inn does charge an extra £10 if you check in early (2022). My experience December 2022, the fire alarm went off when I was fast asleep and it was not a drill, I got dressed and walked down the stairs and was directed to the car park (it reminds me of my Uni days) we were then told after some time to go back to our rooms. Overall I would recommend this Premier Inn at the North Terminal Gatwick. If I start a RU-vid channel I'll probably do a review aswell 🙂

I stayed here when it was The Meridian , lovely hotel

Beautiful hotel . . . nice video . . . good work, Toby!

It looks alright, but i think its on the pricey side for what it is, theres better Premier Inns 😅

The guy looking at you when you walked out the lift 😂

Hard to justify the extra cost over the premiere Inn which is a great hotel

My son is a time served joiner and has been involved when Premier Inn were doing new builds. He told me Premier Inn's sound, heat insulation, doors, walls etc were of better quality than the Old Course hotel at St Andrews where he had also worked.😢

Great review , love the carpet in the hallways.

Was quarantined here flying into Britain from South Africa just after omicron was identified. I think I was lucky as heard some horror stories of some hotels. My room had just the view you had. Obviously it was a very different experience. Room and bathroom was nice. But isolation. We had security in the corridor so couldn't step out. Food was not available from hotel (all restaurants and cafe closed) and we were given sandwiches etc in a paper bag outside the door 3 times a day. The food was brought in from a seperate source, nothing to do with hotel. Dismal. Would like to experience the hotel in normal times as the room was lovely.

For a second, I thought the bathroom wall tiles looked scratched then realised it was a marble pattern 😅 Overall, the room and hotel looked nice and worth the money. Not sure I would eat the fitness centre fruit though!

When i saw the still on youtube i thought it would be a Sofitel abroad somewhere as iv stayed at Sofitel on the palm in dubai 3 times and loved it, didnt realise sofitel had a hotel in the UK, loved the videos as always Tim

Have stayed here a couple of times, but the last time was about 7 years ago or more. The rooms look more up to date and fresher than they did! Always liked this hotel though!

not a bell hop it's a doorman .the bell hop carries your bags to your room in the USA

Hi Tim, Looks like you have got good value for money. Will have to stay there if I am Gatwick way 😀

Stayed in this hotel many years ago night before going on honeymoon. Now have a job that takes me around the world staying in many hotels, but never found a reason to go back to this hotel. Always remembered this one as being good though.

I stayed at the Sofitel in Athens. It was across the street from the airport. Very easy to walk to from the airport. It was worth the convenience.

I just had a bath and settled to my premier Inn bed (16th floor!) Ahead of a wedding tomorrow 😊 perfect watching for tonight!

My previous comment doesn't seem to have loaded but back in 1999 when I stayed there as a 12 y/o it was called the Le Meridien. It has aged extremely well.

Hi Tim. Don't know if anyone else has answered your query about Sofitel being French. They are and they are owned by Accor.

I have stayed at that Premier Inn across the Sofitel and it's certainly huge, but also the biggest Premier Inn in the UK. Opened in 2009.

Ah yeah. I stayed at that Premier Inn a few years ago. Really really nice.

Hi Tim, great video as always. Given you fly from Gatwick so much, I would recommend staying at the George Hotel in Crawley. It is a grade 2 listed building dating back to the 1600s and is, well interesting let's say. Would make a perfect video before your next flight from Gatwick.

Excellent video 🙆🧃👌

Best night's sleep I ever had in a hotel is at Sofitel. Like sleeping on a cloud.

Never stayed at the Sofitel before, but looking at the photos, it looks very good. The Premier Inn next to it is also very good.

Hi Tim, when we’ve flown to Florida we stay at the Sofitel. We stay in a top floor room facing the runway. Great rooms and amenities, I joined their loyalty scheme, saves. Good few £s, plus you can request an upgrade and they will do so if available for a no charge. 3:21

We stay either here or the Hilton attached to the South Terminal depending on which terminal we are flying from every time we fly from Gatwick. Guaranteed a decent nights sleep.

I have stayed here and had a really nice stay. Comfortable and nice staff. I like Sofitel hotels.

Haven't used the Sofitel yet but the walk from the south terminal to the Hilton through it's tunnel felt like an eternity

Looks like a nice hotel, loved the “window seat”! If you had trouble sleeping on the bed guess you could have tried to sleep there! 😂

Hi Tim that is not a bad price for a lovely hotel room at at London Gatwick to. I paid £204 per night at the Radisson Blue hotel at East midlands airport when I stayed with my family before my sisters wedding. I really enjoyed the video and what a lovely room.

11:14 um, I play 🎹...not there though haha . Used to be recitals and churches..now i just play at home.

Stayed there in December 1 night. Very nice indeed and enjoyed the bar area and staff there where lovely. A little disapointed they did not put the bar on the top floor so you could see the runway like at the Hilton Heathrow which is the best we have stayed at but for Gatwick I think the Sofitel for its location ticked all our boxes.

I would definitely consider stopping here if I was flying from Gatwick. It looks a brilliant hotel

Haha Tim thats what I thought about the basic doors in this luxury hotel. Even the room numbers on the doors looked a bit basic.